Page 41 of Seducing an Earl under the Mistletoe
Margot studied Arthur closely, her eyes filled with curiosity. “You seem somehow…different.”
“Different how?” he wondered, amused by this realization.
“Just with a different outlook on life,” she added. “Have you taken my advice?”
He knew what she was referring to. “I suppose you could say that.”
“Is it love?” she asked with a joyful gleam in her eyes.
He inhaled deeply, wondering how to respond to this, as he looked out at the horizon, his thoughts as tumultuous as the sea. “For me, it is.”
Margot, ever gracious, reached out and placed a comforting hand on his back. “Even if we cannot be something more, I hope we can at least be friends in our marriage, supporting and understanding each other.”
Arthur turned to Margot with a grateful smile, touched by her kindness. It was a bittersweet moment, one that held the promise of friendship and understanding, even if the love he had found lay elsewhere.
“I would like that,” he replied, as the two remained there for a few minutes longer, when he suggested them to head back.
As they left the serene beach and ventured back onto the bustling boardwalk, a strange sensation washed over Arthur. It was as if an unseen pair of eyes was fixed upon him, watching his every move. A shiver ran down his spine, and he couldn’t help but glance around, inspecting the crowd for any sign of the source of this peculiar feeling.
And then, he saw a face. It was a face that he thought he recognized, a face that stirred a flood of emotions within him. It was James, his brother, but that couldn’t be right. James was no longer among the living; he had passed away. They assured him of that.
The man he saw in the crowd bore a striking resemblance to his late brother, and for a fleeting moment, Arthur’s heart seemed to stop. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and looked again, but the man had vanished into the crowd. He knew it was impossible, but for that brief moment, it felt as though James had been there, watching over him.
“Are you all right?” Margot asked, noticing his confusion.
“Yes, of course,” he nodded, turning his attention to her again. “I just thought I saw someone…familiar.”
Arthur tried to push aside the eerie sensation and the ghostly appearance of his brother in the bustling crowd.It was a mere trick of the mind, he told himself. James was gone, and he couldn’t be back. Yet, the feeling lingered, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of unease.
Chapter 18
Christmas Eve had arrived, and the Winters family found themselves in the throes of an agonizing wait, their hearts heavy with concern over Marcus’s looming duel. They had been unable to secure an audience with Henry, and the uncertainty weighed on them like a shadow.
Despite the heavy clouds of worry that hung over them, the family tried their best to prepare for a joyous Christmas. The halls of Saltdean House were adorned with festive decorations, a magnificent tree adorned with glistening ornaments taking center stage in the grand hall. The aroma of roasting chestnuts and spiced cider filled the air, and the house was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight.
However, it was evident that everyone’s spirits were far from merry. Laughter felt forced, and the usual joy of the season was overshadowed by the cloud of anxiety that had settled over the household. The festive preparations served as a temporary distraction, but the impending duel and the uncertainty surrounding it cast a pall over the Winters’ Christmas Eve, leaving their hearts heavy with worry and apprehension.
Amidst the bustling preparations in the dining hall, Catherine found a moment to confront her sister about the unsettling words Marcus had shared regarding her and Conte Barrault. Catherine couldn’t believe that every single person in her family had gotten entangled in a mess that could not be resolved, including herself.
Virginie hesitated for a moment, before meeting her sister’s gaze. “Amaury and I love each other, Cate. There is nothing wrong with that. Besides, you don’t know him like I know him. None of you do. We intend to marry. In fact, Father has already given his blessing for Amaury to propose.”
The moment she said those words, Virginie gasped, pressing her hand to her lips. It was obvious that she hadn’t planned on saying this now. Catherine’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and hurt.
“He has?” Catherine asked. “Why didn’t you tell me this, Virginie?”
Virginie looked down, her voice filled with regret. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of upsetting you. We’ve all been through so much, and I didn’t want to add to your burdens and concerns.”
Catherine pressed further, her concern deepening. “What does that mean? What will happen after the wedding?”
Virginie swallowed heavily. “Well…after the wedding, I will, of course, move to France with Amaury because his family resides there, and so, that is where we will make our home.”
Catherine thought about it for a moment, feeling a pang of loneliness that was yet to come. Virginie seemed to sense this because she continued.
“I know this must come as a surprise to you, Cate, but it is how things are done. It is how life goes. I will marry and have my own family. Marcus will marry and have his own family. And Father…well, Father will not be with us forever, you know. I know what your own plans for your life are, but I urge you to reconsider them.”
With those words, Virginie took Catherine’s hand and squeezed it gently.
“If you deny yourself love, you may find yourself alone, without anyone by your side. I don’t want that for you, Cate. You deserve to be happy as much as any of us does.”
